Department of Biochemistry, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141004 India.
Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Sirmour, 173107 Himachal Pradesh India.
J Food Sci Technol. 2014 Oct;51(10):2289-303. doi: 10.1007/s13197-012-0677-0. Epub 2012 Mar 21.
During the recent decades, awareness towards the role of essential fatty acids in human health and disease prevention has been unremittingly increasing among people. Fish, fish oils and some vegetable oils are rich sources of essential fatty acids. Many studies have positively correlated essential fatty acids with reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, infant development, cancer prevention, optimal brain and vision functioning, arthritis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and neurological/neuropsychiatric disorders. Beneficial effects may be mediated through several different mechanisms, including alteration in cell membrane composition, gene expression or eicosanoid production. However, the mechanisms whereby essential fatty acids affect gene expression are complex and involve multiple processes. Further understanding of the molecular aspects of essential fatty acids will be the key to devising novel approaches to the treatment and prevention of many diseases.
在最近几十年中，人们对必需脂肪酸在人类健康和疾病预防中的作用的认识不断提高。鱼类、鱼油和一些植物油是必需脂肪酸的丰富来源。许多研究已经证实必需脂肪酸与降低心血管发病率和死亡率、婴儿发育、癌症预防、最佳大脑和视力功能、关节炎、高血压、糖尿病和神经/神经精神疾病有关。有益的效果可能通过几种不同的机制来介导，包括细胞膜组成、基因表达或类二十烷酸生成的改变。然而，必需脂肪酸影响基因表达的机制是复杂的，涉及多个过程。进一步了解必需脂肪酸的分子方面将是设计治疗和预防许多疾病的新方法的关键。
